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Hearing loss and your hearing

Signs and symptoms Types Treatment FAQ Book a FREE hearing test
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Overview

Hearing loss is the third most common health condition among adults in Canada. 60% of Canadians aged 19 to 79 experience hearing problems. Over 50% aged 40 to 79 have a measurable hearing loss.


Facts about hearing loss

Hearing loss is more common than you might think.

1 in 5 Canadian adults experience some form of hearing loss

Hearing loss is also shockingly prevalent across Canada. In fact, 1 in 5 (20%) of Canadian adults suffer from at least a mild hearing loss.

Even among younger adults, ages 20-40, incidence of hearing loss is rounding the corner to 1 in 10, but by the ages of 60 to 80, it has stricken almost half the population.

Illustration depicting 1 in 5 Canadian adults experiencing hearing loss, represented by a red figure among four blue figures wearing hockey jerseys with maple leaf symbols.

Hearing loss ranks as the third most common health condition among adults.
Hearing loss is the 3rd most common health condition among adult1
A blue circle contains four figures, with two shaded dark and two in white, representing a 50% statistic, displayed prominently below in bold white text: ’50%.’ The background is black.
Over 50% of the adults ages 40 and 79 in Canada have measurable hearing loss2
Sixty percent of Canadians aged 19 to 79 experience hearing health issues.
Overall, 60% of the Canadians aged 19 to 79 have a hearing health problem: audiometrically measured hearing loss, tinnitus (past year) or both conditions.3

Canada recognizes hearing loss as a disability. You may qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), depending on the severity of your hearing loss. A licensed audiologist or other hearing professional can help confirm your eligibility.


Did you know your brain is working harder than your ears?

Sitting in a noisy restaurant, talking to a friend, or listening to your favourite radio station, your brain is working hard to filter out the unnecessary noise and help you concentrate on the sounds you want to hear.

Healthy hearing means that you can hear low frequencies like a bass drum, and high frequencies like a shrill whistle. Your brain can process very quiet sounds like a whisper and really loud sounds like a roaring motorcycle engine. It can also help you determine which direction a sound is coming from and help you determine how big a room is.

The hearing process

The outer ear

The shape of our outer ear directs sound waves through your auditory canal and into your eardrum.





The middle ear

Your middle ear is made up of three tiny bones: the hammer, the anvil and the stirrup. These three bones amplify sound waves to your inner ear.





The inner ear

Fluid in the snail-shaped cochlea moves based on sound waves. The sensory cell picks up this movement and sends electrical impulses to the brain.





The brain

Impulses are sent to the brain, which processes the sounds into information so we can determine how to react.





The importance of treating hearing loss

The earlier you take a hearing test, the earlier you will stop the negative effects of hearing loss – and the earlier you will start socializing and communicating again!

Research has continuously proven the effects that hearing loss has on social and psychological performance. Reduced aural stimulation can impair the brain’s ability to process sound and speech over time. When you can’t hear, your mental ability suffers. Treating your hearing loss at an early stage is important.

Man operating a grinding tool with sparks flying in a noisy workshop environment.
Noise-induced hearing loss
This is often caused by overexposure to excessive noise. It threatens the hearing of military personnel, kindergarten teachers, factory workers and farmers - to name just a few. Rock concerts and loud earphones can also damage people’s hearing. That's why it’s important to wear ear protection when exposed to excessive noise.
Noise-induced hearing loss
Older man struggling to hear while holding his hand to his ear.
Age-related hearing loss
This is caused by life-long wear and tear on the hearing system. The most common symptoms are having difficulty hearing soft voices, and having trouble hearing speech when background noise is present. Often, relatives notice age-related hearing loss before the person with the issue becomes aware of it.
Age related hearing loss
Woman experiencing ear discomfort, illustrated by drawn sound waves near the ear.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying condition such as hearing loss or an ear injury. It can have a huge impact on the lives of some people. 80% of people with tinnitus also have some degree of hearing loss without being aware of it, and may be able to benefit from having hearing aids.
Tinnitus

Can hearing loss be reversed?

In some cases, hearing loss can be reversed. Hearing loss caused by otitis can reverse once you treat the inflammation in your ear.

Hearing loss due to inner ear damage or deterioration cannot be reversed. But you can still treat many cases and maintain your quality of life.

How to tell if you have hearing loss

Only a licensed hearing professional can provide a hearing loss diagnosis. But here’s how to know when it’s time to seek help:

  • You have difficulty following conversations
  • Your phone conversations are unclear
  • People seem to be mumbling too often
  • You have difficulty locating sounds
  • You experience ringing or buzzing in your ears
  • You turn up the TV too loud

Our online hearing test can also help you decide if it is time to visit a hearing care professional. No email is required to view your results and the test will take about five minutes.

If your results suggest you may have a hearing loss, you can book a free hearing test.

What does “hard of hearing” mean?

“Hard of hearing” means you still have some hearing ability. It covers a range of hearing abilities but does not include the deaf community.

Those who are deaf have little to no hearing ability. They may rely on sign language or other forms of communication. The hard of hearing may use spoken language with the help of hearing aids or assistive devices.

What level of hearing loss requires a hearing aid?

Hearing loss is measured in decibels (dB), referring to how loud sounds need to be for you to hear them.

If you can hear sounds at 25 dB or lower, you likely have “normal hearing” and don’t need a hearing aid. People who can only hear sounds at 26 dB or higher may enjoy wearing hearing aids.

Hearing aids promote healthy hearing. Hearing well can keep you safe, maintain social connections and reduce mental strain.

Learn more about degrees of hearing loss.

“Hearing loss does not get the recognition it deserves. It is one of the five senses. You can watch a TV program on mute and you won’t get the context. But you can listen to a program and not watch it and your senses will follow along. That is the difference hearing makes.”
Jillian Price, M.Sc., Reg. CASLPO, Audiologist

While there is no cure for loss of hearing, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Learn more about healthy hearing practices and protection solutions you can start today.

FAQ about hearing loss

Katie Koebel, audiologist at HearingLife Canada
Katie Koebel, M.Cl.Sc., Reg. CASLPO Senior Manager, Audiology HearingLife Canada

Katie graduated with a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours), with Distinction, from the University of Western Ontario in 2006, followed by a master’s degree in audiology from the same institution in 2008. She began her career providing hearing healthcare as an audiologist at the HearingLife Cambridge clinic. Here, she supported clients in achieving better hearing outcomes for over 13 years.

Learn more about Katie

Sources

1. Kochkin, Sergei (2009) ”MarkeTrak VIII: 25-Year Trends in the Hearing Health Market” The Hearing Review, vol. 16, no. 11.

2. McCormack, A. & Fortnum, H. Why do people fitted with hearing aids not wear them? Int J Audiol. 2013 May; 52(5): 360–368.

3. Chisolm, T. H., Johnson, C. E., Danhauer, J. L., Portz, L. J. P., Abrams, H. B., Lesner, S., … Newman, C. W. (2007). A systematic review of health-related quality of life and hearing aids: Final report of the American Academy of Audiology Task Force on the Health-Related Quality of Life Benefits of Amplification in Adults. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 18(2), 151-183

4. Masterson EA, Bushnell PT, Themann CL, Morata TC. Hearing Impairment Among Noise-Exposed Workers — United States, 2003–2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016;65:389–394. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6515a2

5. Haile et al. Hearing loss prevalence and years lived with disability, 1990–2019: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet. 2021 March. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00516-X

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*A comprehensive hearing assessment is provided to adults ages 19 and older at no cost. The results of this assessment will be communicated verbally to you. If you request a copy of the Audiological Report, an administrative fee will apply, excluding Saskatchewan residents. Child hearing tests are conducted at select locations for a fee, please contact us for more information. Offer not available in Quebec. Not applicable for industrial hearing tests. The hearing discount promotion is valid for select premium or advanced hearing aid models and cannot be combined with any other discount. Applies to private sales of premium or advanced hearing aids and discount is applied after any Government funding has been deducted. Discount offer expires 31/08/2026. Some conditions apply, see clinic for details. Offer not valid in Quebec. 90-Day money-back guarantee begins at the date of purchase. If you are not completely satisfied, you can return it within 90 days for a full refund or exchange. If you are quoted a lower price on an comparable hearing aid with the same features, options and services, HearingLife Canada Ltd. will match that price. Conditions Apply. Ask our hearing care professionals for more details. 150,000 Doctor referrals based on the all-time number of referrals from general physicians, Ear, Nose & Throat specialists, and medical professionals as indicated by clients on our intake forms. With financing plan, deposit may be required. Borrower must be age of majority and have a Canadian bank account. Financing is available on select core-brand hearing aids and at select HearingLife locations. The government grant for hearing aids is a provincial program administered by the provincial government and is not affiliated with or administered by HearingLife Canada. Prices based on a 36‑month agreement at 4.99% APR. Payments are equal monthly installments and require pre‑authorized debit (PAD). Subject to eligibility criteria and program terms. Pricing may vary by province and hearing aid model and is subject to change without notice.